TEEDC

Today was sort of kind of a full-circle moment for me. I was never really a “club kid” growing up, but today while teaching the Sockpreneur program at the Boys & Girls Club, I honestly felt right at home. Seeing the students engaged, creative, and excited about entrepreneurship was such a good feeling. From creating ideas and talking through designs to learning how small ideas can grow into something bigger, the room was filled with energy, curiosity, and confidence. Moments like this remind me why I care so much about this work. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses. It’s about helping young people believe in their ideas, use their creativity, and see possibilities for themselves early on. Today was fun, meaningful, and honestly one of those moments that just stayed with me after I left. Grateful for the opportunity to pour into the next generation through the Sockpreneur program.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the Broward County Public Schools Community Involvement Awards. It was inspiring to see so many organizations, educators, leaders, and community members recognized for the work they continue to do throughout BCPS communities. Events like this serve as a reminder that real impact happens through collaboration, consistency, and people who genuinely care about students and families. Being in a room filled with individuals committed to making a difference was both motivating and encouraging. Grateful for the opportunity to witness and celebrate the incredible work happening across our community. #CommunityEngagement #YouthDevelopment #BCPS #CommunityImpact

We just wrapped up our Popcorn Sales Challenge and these students definitely know how to celebrate a win 🍿🔥 Sometimes it’s good to step away from the hustle and bustle of teaching and everyday life to simply enjoy the moment and celebrate the wins — both big and small. Proud of this group for showing up, pushing themselves, and having a good time while doing it. #NextGenBuilder #TEEDC #CelebrateTheWins

Over the last few weeks at Lauderdale Lakes Midfle School, we’ve been working with students on what it really means to build a business. They’ve learned how to think about the customer first, create something that actually solves a problem, and build a brand and marketing strategy around it. Now they’re stepping into the next phase — practicing how to pitch, sell, and interact with customers as they prepare for the pop-up shop. This is where it all starts to come together. #WhereLearningMeetsPurpose #NexGenBuilder

Last week was a BIG moment for us at TEEDC 🚀 We officially kicked off our NexGenBuilder Accelerated Course at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School and the energy in the room was unmatched. These students came in ready… ready to learn, ready to think different, and most importantly ready to BUILD. We jumped right in with our Sockpreneur Challenge, where students took a simple idea and started turning it into a real brand. Creativity, collaboration, and business thinking all in one. From ideas to action, they’re already stepping into what it means to create something of their own. This isn’t just a class. This is where young entrepreneurs start seeing what’s possible. We’re just getting started 💡 #NexGenBuilder #Sockpreneur #YoungEntrepreneurs #TEEDC WhereLearningMeetsPurpose

Yesterday at the Beyond the Back Summit at Miramar High, hosted by Principal Porter, was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. I had the opportunity to speak on Culture to Currency, breaking down how something as simple as a sock can be turned into a real brand through our Sockpreneur Academy. But it wasn’t really about socks. It was about helping students realize that their ideas, their creativity, and their culture already have value. That they don’t have to wait for the perfect moment or a big opportunity to start building something of their own. Through the hands-on activity, students were engaged, thinking, and creating in real time and many of them left inspired to start their own brands. Moments like this are about planting seeds, and yesterday, we planted a few. If even one student walked away thinking differently about what they can create, then it was all worth it. Start small. Think big. Move with purpose. #WhereLearningMeetsPurpose #CultureToCurrency #TEEDC

Last week we kicked off the spring session of the NextGen Builder Entrepreneurship Program at Beachside Montessori Village, and I’m really excited about this group. We have eight amazing young men in the program this session, and from day one they’ve shown real curiosity and motivation to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building their own ideas. Moments like this always remind me why this work matters. When young people are given space to think, create, and explore what’s possible, something powerful happens. Looking forward to watching these young men grow throughout this journey. #NextGenBuilder #YouthEntrepreneurship #FutureLeaders #WhereLearningMeetsPurpose

Today, across Broward County Public Schools, we observed A Day of Service & Love, a day created in honor of the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018. This day is about remembrance. It is about reflection. It is about choosing love in the face of tragedy. It is about turning pain into purpose through service. In that same spirit, we hosted our 4th Annual Business and Entrepreneurship Brunch and Scholarship Program. The Sheila Brown Legacy Builders Scholarship, named after my mom, exists because she believed deeply in people doing something meaningful with their lives after high school. College, trade, business, workforce, it did not matter. What mattered was purpose. She believed in builders. Builders of businesses. Builders of careers. Builders of families. Builders of legacy. So on a day rooted in service and love, we served our students with exposure. We loved on them through mentorship. We invested in them through scholarship. We remember the 17 by building spaces where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. Service. Love. Legacy. Purpose. #DayOfServiceAndLove #SheilaBrownLegacyBuilders #LegacyInMotion #EntrepreneurshipEducation #Hallandale

I truly had no idea today would unfold the way it did. To be recognized for the work I do in the community caught me completely off guard in the best way. Shout out to my friend and brother, Principal Porter of Miramar High, and the entire staff for the surprise honor. That meant more than you know. A sincere thank you as well to Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers for sponsoring the event and continuing to support initiatives that uplift our schools and community. That kind of leadership matters. I don’t do this work for applause. I do it because our young people deserve people who show up consistently and with purpose. Grateful. Humbled. Recharged. We keep building. #CommunityImpact #YouthDevelopment #Leadership #Grateful

🖤 Celebrating Black History Month Black History Month is a time to honor the legacy, resilience, creativity, and impact of Black excellence—past, present, and future. Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting stories that remind us how deeply Black history is woven into everyday life. This week, we’re celebrating Black inventors—visionaries who imagined possibilities, solved real-world problems, and created inventions that continue to shape how we live, learn, and move forward today.

A lot of young people are doing meaningful work quietly—and they deserve to be recognized. Next Up: 18 Under 18 exists to spotlight students who are leading, creating, serving, and showing up for their communities in real ways. If you know a young person who’s already making an impact, we invite you to nominate them. Nominations are open! Check the link in our bio. Sometimes recognition isn’t about awards—it’s about letting young people know their efforts matter.

Because growth isn’t one-size-fits-all. What clicks for one young person might not click for another. Patience and repetition are part of the process—and the progress.